'Bike to School Day' celebrated Wednesday

DOWNEY - "Encouragement" is the word of the day as Downey students are being challenged to participate in the second national Bike to School Day, coming up this Wednesday, May 8.This encouragement comes from the top down in the city, as Mayor Mario Guerra's Healthy Downey campaign and Downey City Council have registered support for the event, as well as Kaiser Permanente, local Kiwanis Clubs, and the Downey Bicycle Coalition. In Downey, the focus is on middle schools, where it is hoped students will ride their bikes to school this coming Wednesday, under the supervision of their parents and with the help of community volunteers--and of course wearing their bike helmets as required by California law. City Council members have been invited to greet student riders as they arrive at East, Griffiths, Sussman, and West Middle Schools, which will be joining about 1,300 other schools across the nation for the occasion. The event is being promoted through each school's morning announcements, as well as by fliers to be distributed among students. Kaiser Permanente will be offering healthy refreshments to students as they arrive at school. The City of Downey will also be providing police presence to ensure traffic safety near each of the four middle schools. Students are also encouraged to bring bike locks in order to secure their bikes at school. Last but not least, students need to be on time to school, as the district is in the middle of spring testing.

********** Published: May 2, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 03